Multicar self-propelled elevator system

Abstract

An elevator system includes a first hoistway; a second hoistway; and a structural member disposed between the first hoistway and the second hoistway; the structural member supporting a first stationary portion of a propulsion system for the first hoistway; the structural member supporting a first guide surface for an elevator car in the first hoistway; the structural member supporting a second stationary portion of the propulsion system for the second hoistway; the structural member supporting a second guide surface for an elevator car in the second hoistway.

The invention claimed is: 
     
       1. An elevator system comprising:
 a first hoistway; 
 a second hoistway; 
 a first stationary portion of a propulsion system positioned in the first hoistway; 
 a second stationary portion of the propulsion system positioned in the first hoistway; 
 a first guide element for guiding an elevator car, the first guide element positioned in the first hoistway; 
 a second guide element for guiding the elevator car, the second guide element positioned in the first hoistway; 
 wherein the first stationary portion of the propulsion system is positioned on a first wall of the first hoistway, the second stationary portion of the propulsion system is positioned on a second wall of the first hoistway, the first wall and second wall being opposing walls of the hoistway;
 wherein the first stationary portion of the propulsion system comprises a pair of beams having windings positioned between the beams, a plurality of openings formed in at least one of the beams, a plurality of braces connecting the pair of beams and a plurality of support brackets extending from each of the beams. 
 
 
     
     
       2. The elevator system of  claim 1  further comprising:
 a lower transfer station positioned at or below a first floor of the first hoistway and the second hoistway, the lower transfer station imparting horizontal motion to the elevator car to transfer the elevator car from the second hoistway to the first hoistway. 
 
     
     
       3. The elevator system of  claim 2  further comprising:
 an upper transfer station positioned at or above a top floor of the first hoistway and the second hoistway, the upper transfer station imparting horizontal motion to the elevator car to transfer the elevator car from the first hoistway to the second hoistway. 
 
     
     
       4. The elevator system of  claim 3  further comprising:
 at least one intermediate transfer station positioned between the lower transfer station and the upper transfer station, the at least one intermediate transfer station imparting horizontal motion to the elevator car to transfer the elevator car from the first hoistway to the second hoistway or transfer the elevator car from the second hoistway to the first hoistway. 
 
     
     
       5. The elevator system of  claim 1  further comprising:
 at least one transfer station to transfer the elevator car between the first and second hoistways. 
 
     
     
       6. The elevator system of  claim 1  further comprising:
 a moving portion of the propulsion system mounted to the elevator car; 
 the moving portion of the propulsion system configured to coact with the first stationary portion of the propulsion system when the elevator car is in the first hoistway; 
 
       wherein the moving portion of the propulsion system includes two moving portions of the propulsion system, the two moving portions of the propulsion system mounted to the elevator car. 
     
     
       7. The elevator system of  claim 1  wherein:
 the first stationary portion of the propulsion system and the second stationary portion of the propulsion system comprise modular segments. 
 
     
     
       8. The system of  claim 1  wherein:
 the first guide element is positioned on the first wall of the first hoistway and the second guide element is positioned on the second wall of the first hoistway. 
 
     
     
       9. The elevator system of  claim 1  further comprising:
 a third stationary portion of the propulsion system positioned in the second hoistway; and 
 a fourth stationary portion of the propulsion system positioned in the second hoistway.